India need to be braver with the ball: Chhetri | Football News – Times of India

PANAJI: In the middle of an online interaction with journalists on Wednesday, Sunil Chhetri paused to reveal a national team secret.
“Some years back, whenever there was a cake cutting in the dressing room (to celebrate birthdays), I literally used to cringe,” said Chhetri. “When there is a game, we don’t need that cake. So we instead decided that we will have a small cup cake, cut it and (only) the birthday boy gets it.”
Now it’s different.
“After being the warden for six years, I don’t have to say anything because Gurpreet (Sandhu) and (Sandesh) Jhingan have crazy eyes on everyone. It’s so nice that we even plan cheat meals together. These are small margins that make big difference.”
At 36, Chhetri is not just the captain of the national team. He is the leader who sets a fine example. He’s the centrifugal force around whom this team revolves, best dramatised in the clash against Bangladesh when he scored twice late in the game to give India a crucial 2-0 win in the World Cup qualifiers.
The win was India’s first in 12 games under Igor Stimac and first in seven World Cup 2022 qualifiers. Chhetri wasn’t keeping track and this “wasn’t pleasing to hear.” But he knows the team, now in a transitory phase, will get better with time.
“What India now needs to do is be a little bit braver with the ball. I think we understand defending, we understand diet, we know how to take care of ourselves. A lot of people probably didn’t like the fact that we didn’t keep the ball. That is a very healthy criticism.
“We have to be braver to keep the ball, to stitch five-six passes. It will come with the help of many more games. Look at this team, it’s so young. Apart from me, only Gurpreet and Sandesh are experienced,” said Chhetri, pointing to the likes of Glan Martins, Suresh Singh, Subhashish Bose, Rahul Bheke and Manvir Singh, all of whom have just played a handful of international matches.
When it comes to internationals, Chhetri is in a league of his own. He has 117 matches under his belt in a 20-year illustrious career. “When I made my debut in 2001, some players (in the national team) were not born,” he said.
Chhetri now has 74 international goals, two more than Argentina superstar Lionel Messi. Among the active footballers only Cristiano Ronaldo, also aged 36, is ahead of him. But comparisons are unfair.
“There are thousands of players who are better than me and they are all fans of Messi. People who understand football, they know there is no comparison,” said Chhetri. “When anyone sees that (goal scorers) chart, be happy for five seconds as an Indian and that’s about it. Because there is no comparison whatsoever, not just with me and Messi, but with anyone there. That’s the simplest truth.”
It is also true that India have not found anyone good enough to step into his boots, as and when Chhetri decides to call it a day. Given his form, fitness and how much he is enjoying himself, it won’t be anytime soon.
“I am enjoying my football. I’ve never been this fit when it comes to recovery runs, sprints or the hunger. Till the time the hunger and zeal is there, I’ll enjoy and till the time I am enjoying, I’ll be there. The day I stop enjoying, I will go,” said Chhetri.